On the Rise: Kentucky’s 2028-29 Week 1 Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With Week 1 in the books, we're taking a look at a handful of recruits who had big weeks and should be on the rise as we move forward.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1969450"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a8dd9fbe4140"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Riedinger set the tone for the year with a huge game the other night. He dominated up front and seemed to live in the backfield from the opening snap. They just couldn't find an answer for him, and he kept winning reps and getting to the quarterback. He ended the night with 5 sacks and, after 1 week, has more sacks than most will get all year. He also added a pick-six, which is even more impressive when you consider he was rushing the QB all night long. You can tell he put in a lot of work this offseason, and it didn't take long for that work to start paying off. Five sacks in week one is one heck of a way to start a season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1651924"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a8dd9fbe41ab"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Barger made the transition to running back and immediately showed why it was a good move. He only needed 11 carries to put up 140 yards and 2 touchdowns, finding ways to create whenever the ball was in his hands. I liked his vision and how quickly he found the open lane and got upfield. He looked natural at the position and didn't need a ton of touches to make a big impact. If the other night was any indication, this move could unlock a lot for him, and he could develop into a perennial back for this offense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2345713"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a8dd9fbe41f8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Jones had a big game to start the year and found ways to win no matter what the defense threw at him. He found soft spots against zone and showed he could beat his man when they matched up with him one-on-one. He catches the ball in stride and has a second gear that shows up once he gets into the open field. I also liked his hands and ability to catch through traffic while still giving the offense a guy who can stretch the field. He finished the night with 7 catches for 174 yards and 2 touchdowns, then jumped over to defense and recovered a fumble. Just a really productive night where he seemed to make an impact whenever he was on the field.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1907206"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a8dd9fbe4240"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Matchem is a natural fit on the outside. He can make the routine catches, but also has the body control and ball skills to come down with some acrobatic grabs when the ball isn't perfect. He had a big night with 9 catches for 134 yards and a touchdown and consistently gave his quarterback a place to go with the football. The talent is pretty obvious when you watch him, and if he keeps putting together nights like this, I could see him flying up recruiting boards in a hurry.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2345741"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a8dd9fbe42aa"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Wyatt had a huge week one and came out of the weekend leading all of Kentucky in receiving yards. He's got good hands, strikes me as a smart player, and can be moved inside or outside depending on what the offense needs. He consistently found ways to get open the other night and made the most of his opportunities, putting up 177 yards and 3 touchdowns. He's young and seems to have taken a big step in his development. He's definitely someone who's on my radar moving forward.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->